The word
“Waqf” has its origin in the Arabic word “Waqufa” meaning
thereby to detain or to hold or tie up. It is said that once
second Khalifa Omar acquired a piece of land in Khaibar and
asked the prophet Mohammed as how best to to make the most
pious use of it. The prophet said “Tie up the property and
devote the usufruct to the welfare of human beings, and it
is not to be sold or made the subject of gift or inheritance
, devote its produce to your children , your kindred and the
poor and in the way of Allah”.

The Wakf Act
1995 defines the WAKF as the permanent dedication by a
person professing Islam, of movable or immovable property
for any purpose recognized by the Muslim law as pious,
religious or charitable